Bagan Datuk, 19 November 2017 – Malaysia’s pineapple industry is set to expand following the launch of the first Pineapple Farming Project in Perak under the Bioeconomy Community Development Programme (BCDP). Overseen by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corporation), the project involves the collaboration between Perak State Agricultural Development Corporation (SADC Perak) and NAZA Plantation Services Sdn Bhd (NAZA) to commercially develop 147 acres of MD2 Pineapple Plantation in Lekir, Perak. Through the BCDP project, NAZA will provide farmers in Perak with tissue cultured-pineapple seedlings for them to cultivate and harvest, which will then be supplied back to NAZA for local and export markets under the premium brand, “Tropicale”.

Chief Executive Officer of Bioeconomy Corporation, Dr. Mohd Shuhaizam Mohd Zain said, “The project has the potential to provide farmers with additional income of up to RM19,800 per hectare per month thanks to the buy-back agreement by NAZA as the anchor company. What sets this project apart from existing contract farming is that it utilizes biotechnology application such as tissue culture to add significant value to traditional pineapple production, resulting in a superior variety in terms of colour, flavour, life span and ripeness. We are pleased that the farmers in Lekir and Bagan Datuk are able to contribute to this project, which will further elevate their skills as bio-agropreneurs and enhance the pineapple industry in Malaysia.”

Group Executive Chairman of NAZA World Group of Companies, Datuk Wira SM Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin said, “The collaboration with Bioeconomy Corporation and SADC Perak shall give the opportunity for the local community to participate in this lucrative pineapple farming under BCDP. The farm is expected to produce 3,541 metric tonne of Premium MD2 Pineapple annually by 2019. The target is to generate revenues worth RM10.8 million annually, including the sales of MD2 planting materials.” He added that the collaboration will also incorporate the NAZA Agrofarmers Development Programme which seeks to coach and develop 10 young agropreneurs to produce premium grade MD2 pineapple for NAZA’s market.

The launch was marked by an Exchange of Collaboration Agreement between Datuk Wira SM Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin and Chief Executive Officer of SADC Perak, Dato’ Ahmad Rizal Bin Abdul Rahman in conjunction with the Fiesta NBOS Sayang Malaysia here today. Officiated by Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Bin Hamidi, the ceremony signified the first phase of the BCDP Pineapple Farming Project, involving 20 farmers in Lekir, with plans to expand to Bagan Datuk. The Deputy Prime Minister also handed over the pineapple plantlets to the BCDP participants for them to implement the pineapple cultivation project.

The BCDP Pineapple Farming Project seeks to link the rural community with the bio-based industries and is expected to generate wealth and enhance the skills of the farmers through technical and technological training from NAZA and Bioeconomy Corporation.